Last Updated: August 2026
I feel like the ‘best Melbourne Guitar stores’ is a bit of a difficult one, with so much choice around. It’s like asking ‘where is the best coffee in Melbourne’ and then relying on the taste of only one person. However, I thought I would put together a few stand outs for me that I have visited in my trips to Melbourne, feel free to disagree.
Make sure to head over to the Interactive Map of Australian Guitar and Gear Builders for locations, or to add a location.
Vintage and Boutique Gear
Found Sound
This place is very cool, with a store in Brunswick East on Albert Street. I knew that I had found it by the Supro and Fender amp boxes discarded at the recycle point (man, if I was more Instagram aware that would have been an awesome picture). The store is full of new and used gear, but the main attraction is that it is full of awesome staff. Louis introduced me to all of the staff when I made a simple enquiry, there was no pointed fingers when I asked where an item was, but rather he walked me over and stepped me through everything I needed to know at the time. Super cool shop and even cooler staff (and that is saying something, especially given their rad synth selection)
Echo Tone
Situated in Northcote, I haven’t been to this one but it’s reputation as having the biggest range of vintage and 2nd hand guitars in Melbourne is definitely a major attraction for me. Their website boasts hundreds of guitars and more boutique pedals than the Tour de France. Even a brief look brings up gems like Les Paul Double cuts and a range of 335s that would make your inner bluesman croon. Echo Tone looks like a must visit next time I am in Melbourne.
Music Swop Shop
Just up the road from Found Sound in Carlton on Elgin St, this is one of those stores that you dream of as a buyer. The place is packed with gear and there are handwritten signs all over directing you to more gear stashed all over the place. It’s a warren of quality gear and it was super busy when I was there, barely space to move – and this was in the middle of a work day. There is tons here and the great thing is the range, which starts at the $125 point for Strat copies, given that the staff here know their stuff this would be a great place to start your beginner journey – or your advanced journey. There was even a Casio DG-10 synth guitar there when I was in!
Guitar Emporium
Am online treasure trove of gear from the vintage to the odd and quirky. Previously based in Port Melbourne, Guitar Emporium is currently online only.
New Gear
Cranbourne Music
Cranbourne is in the city and unlike the others they specialise primarily in new gear. Also, unlike the others Cranbourne is a music store with a wide range of gear, rather than just guitar gear (although guitars look to be their primary business). Great store, with non intrusive and helpful staff. They also have a great range of Dusenberg guitars which are pricey, but incredible looking pieces – I have never found this kind of range in other new product stores as they tend to stock the standard Gibsons and Fenders which sell big numbers. If you want to see a Dusenberg in person, Cranbourne is definitely the place to go.
